JP3025089B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device or a workstation including a computer and a word processor, etc., is based on image information. It is configured to record an image on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus employing a serial scanning system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction crossing a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and then the recording is performed. An image is recorded (main scanning) by recording means (generally mounted on a carriage) moving along the material, and after a recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyance of the recording material), Thereafter, the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material stopped again is repeated, so that the recording of the entire recording material is performed. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the transport direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position,
After the recording for the row is performed, a predetermined amount of paper feed (conveyance of the recording material) is performed, and further, the operation of collectively recording the next row is repeated, thereby recording the entire recording material. It is.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material. Easy,
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise, and It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line-type apparatus using a line-type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further increase the recording speed.

[0005] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming the liquid path wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plates (OHP
Etc.), thin paper and processed paper (paper with perforated holes for perforation, perforated paper, paper of any shape, etc.) have come to be required.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
For the purpose of preventing clogging caused by thickening or sticking of ink due to ink drying at the ejection port portion of the recording means (recording head), the ejection port is blocked from the outside air,
Alternatively, clogging caused by thickening or sticking of ink or bubbles or dust generated in a liquid path is recovered (eliminated).
Capping means for forming a closed system at a discharge port portion in order to perform a suction recovery operation for forcibly discharging ink from the discharge port by applying a predetermined pressure (including a negative pressure) to the discharge port for the purpose of Is used.

The capping means is arranged so as to abut the recording head at a position outside the recording area (for example, at the home position of the recording head or the carriage) to seal the discharge port. As an operation mechanism of the capping means, for example, a mechanism in which a cap attached to a cap holder is brought into contact with a recording head by using movement of a recording head (or a carriage), or attached to a movable cap holder. There is a mechanism for moving the cap forward and abutting the recording head stopped at a predetermined position. In the mechanism using the movement of the carriage, usually, a cap holder is movably mounted on a holder guide (guide member) by a cam means, and the moving carriage (or recording head) is attached to the cap holder. After the engagement, the cap holder is advanced toward the recording head by utilizing the further movement of the carriage, and the cap is brought into close contact with the ejection port forming surface.

[0008]

However, in the conventional capping means, positioning portions for capping the cap holder and positioning portions between the main body base and the holder guide (or cap holder) are provided at a plurality of locations. If the cam engaging portion between the holder guide and the cap holder fluctuates due to dimensional tolerances, the cap holder must be positioned in a state inclined with respect to the cap contact surface (ejection port forming surface) of the recording head. As a result, a difference in the amount of penetration into each part of the cap may occur, which may result in poor capping. In particular, in the case of a printing apparatus including a plurality of print heads (head elements), the amount of penetration of the cap differs for each print head, and a print head having a poor capping may occur. As a countermeasure, there has been proposed a method of adjusting the inclination of the cap holder by moving the positioning part of the holder guide, but this method increases the cost by increasing the number of parts, increases the size of the device, adds an adjustment process, etc. There has been a problem that the cost is increased and the handling property is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simple configuration in which a plurality of caps caps a plurality of recording means regardless of the dimensional tolerance of each part. However, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can make the amount of the entire cap penetrating into the recording means constant and can realize stable capping.

[0010]

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention (claim 1) has a plurality of recording heads for recording on a recording material by discharging ink from discharge ports, and discharge ports of the plurality of recording heads. A plurality of caps for capping each of the caps, a cap holder to which the plurality of caps are attached, and a substantially central portion between two outermost caps among the plurality of caps attached to the cap holder. Press the part of the cap holder corresponding to
An abutting portion for capping the plurality of caps in a state where the cap holder can swing about the portion as a fulcrum; and an abutting portion when the plurality of caps are separated from the plurality of recording heads. Means for separating the contact portion from the site,
The above object is achieved.

[0011] The inventions of claims 2 and 3 provide the above-mentioned claim 1.
In addition to the above configuration, the plurality of recording heads may be configured to discharge different inks from each other, or may be configured to seal a discharge port of the recording head by using movement of a carriage mounting the recording head at a non-recording position. However, in a region where the cap and the recording head do not abut, the cap holder is guided and moved by the guide member, and after the cap and the recording head abut, the cap holder is pushed around the fulcrum.
By pressing the caps, the caps are in close contact
The above object is achieved by a configuration in which the contact is made by force .

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an essential configuration of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1 intermittently feeds a recording material 12 in a predetermined direction by a transport (sub-scanning) mechanism, and moves (main scanning) the recording unit (recording head) 1 in a direction crossing the direction. It is configured to record. The illustrated recording means 1 includes four head elements (recording heads) 1 for recording with different inks.
It is composed of

In FIG. 1, a recording material 12 made of paper, a plastic thin plate or the like is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a paper feeding device (not shown), and an upper guide 14 fixed to a bottom plate 13.
And the lower guide 15. Further, the recording material 12
Is guided in the advancing direction by both guides 14 and 15, and enters between a pair of transport rollers including a transport roller (sub-scanning roller) 16 and a transport driven roller (sub-scanning driven roller) 17. The transport roller pairs 16 and 17 are driven to rotate by a transport motor 18. By controlling the drive of the conveying roller pairs 16 and 17, the recording material 12 is carried out onto a platen 19 fixed to the bottom plate 13.
Discharge roller 20 and discharge driven roller 21 while being supported by
, And the conveyance is temporarily stopped here. The discharge roller pairs 20 and 21 are driven by the transport motor 18 in synchronization with the transport roller pairs 16 and 17.

A paper discharge guide 22 is supported on the bottom plate 13, and is driven by the paper discharge roller pair 20, 21 by an arrow A.
The recording material 12 conveyed in the direction
Is discharged out of the apparatus main body while being guided by. The transport roller 16 and the paper discharge roller 20 have aluminum particles having a particle size of 1000 to 2000 adhered to their surfaces, and chloroprene rubber is baked on each of the driven rollers 17 and 21. Therefore, the recording material 12 can be conveyed with a high conveying force and with high accuracy.

A main scanning rail (guide rail) 2 is provided on the upper rear side of the platen 19 in parallel with the axial direction of the conveying roller 16.
3 are installed. The recording means 1 includes a carriage 24
The carriage 24 is mounted on its bearing 2
The guide rail 23 is inserted through 5 and is movable along the guide rail 23. The recording means mounted on the carriage 24 in the present embodiment is composed of a plurality (four) of recording means (head elements) 1 using different inks. In the case of full-color recording, for example,
Four color inks of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are used. Further, each recording head (head element) 1 of this embodiment is of a cartridge type in which an ink tank and a recording unit (ink ejection unit) are integrated, and is positioned and mounted on a carriage 24 so as to be exchangeable. .

An ink discharge section (discharge port forming surface) is provided below each recording means 1, and the ink discharge section has a plurality of discharge ports arranged in a direction crossing the moving direction of the carriage 24. Have been. Each ink ejection section is arranged so as to eject ink toward the platen 19 through an opening at the lower portion of the carriage 24.

The recording means (each recording head) 1 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink by using thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 1
According to the method, recording is performed by ejecting ink from an ejection port using a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by heat energy applied by the electrothermal transducer.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection section of an arbitrary recording means (arbitrary one recording head) 1. In FIG. 2, a plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port forming surface 51 facing the recording material 12 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). And an electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) for generating energy for ink discharge along the wall surface of each liquid path 54 communicating the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52.
55 are provided. In this example, the recording head 1
Are mounted on the carriage 24 in such a positional relationship that the discharge ports 52 are arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 24. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 54 to boil, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port 52 by the pressure generated at that time. Recording means (recording head) 1 is configured.

In FIG. 1, a carriage motor (main scanning motor) 26 as a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 24 is fixed to the apparatus main body (a side plate thereof). A motor pulley 27 is fixed to a rotation shaft of the carriage motor 26, and can rotate integrally with the rotation shaft. An idler pulley 28 is pivotally supported on the opposite side of the motor pulley 27, and a main scanning belt (carriage drive belt) 29 is stretched between the motor pulley 27 and the idler pulley 28. The carriage 24 is provided with a carriage driving belt 29.
, And are reciprocated by the forward and reverse rotation of the carriage motor 26.

The home position HP of the carriage 24 is set at a position within the movement range of the carriage 24 and outside the recording area (or the platen 19). In the vicinity of the home position HP, a plurality (four) of rubber-like elastic materials capable of contacting (adhering to) the discharge port forming surface 51 of each recording head 1 and sealing (capping) the discharge ports 52 are provided. Capping means 40 having the cap 2 is provided. In the vicinity of the capping means 40,
A recovery device 30 for eliminating a discharge failure due to clogging of the discharge port 52 of each recording head 1 is provided. The recovery device 30 generates a negative pressure inside the cap 2 through a tube by a suction pump or the like in a state where the discharge port 52 is sealed with the cap 2 (capping state), and the negative pressure causes bubbles from the discharge port 52 together with ink. It is configured to suck out foreign matters such as fixed ink and dust.

A roller (not shown) is rotatably supported at a lower portion of the carriage 24, and the roller rolls on the upper surface of the recording material 12 on the platen 19, whereby each recording head 1 is rotated. The distance between the ejection port forming surface 51 and the recording surface of the recording material 12 is always regulated to be constant. Further, since the cap 2 is provided near the home position HP of the carriage 24, the platen 19 cannot be extended to the home position HP. Therefore, when the carriage 24 moves in the direction of the home position HP, the rollers of the carriage 24 come off the platen 19. Therefore, at a position off the platen 19, the carriage 24 rides on a guide plate (not shown) provided on the recovery device 30 via the rollers.

At the time of recording operation, the carriage 24 is moved by the carriage motor 26 and the recording head 1 is driven in accordance with an image signal, so that the platen 19 is moved.
Ink is ejected onto the recording material 12 stopped above to form an image for one line (main scanning). When the recording for one line is completed, the conveying rollers 16 and 17 are rotated by a predetermined amount to convey the recording material 12 by a predetermined amount (for example, an amount corresponding to the height of one line) (sub-scan), and the carriage 24 is returned again. Then, the recording head 1 is driven to perform recording (main scanning) of the next row. Hereinafter, an image is recorded on the entire recording material 12 by alternately repeating the main scanning and the sub-scanning.
Then, when the trailing end of the recording material 12 is detected by a sensor (not shown) arranged at a predetermined position, the recording operation is terminated, and the recording material 1 is rotated by the rotation of the discharge roller pair 20, 21.
2 is discharged out of the apparatus main body along the paper discharge guide 22.

Each of the four recording means 1 comprises an ink tank section in which yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks are stored, and an ink discharge section (recording head section) for discharging these inks. The unit is connected to each ink ejection unit. The four colors of ink are ejected from each ink ejection unit (recording head unit) in accordance with each color-separated image signal, and these four colors are overlapped to form a full-color image. Note that the recording material 12 is not only fed from the paper feeding device, but also allows the operator to cause the recording material to enter the abutting portion of the pair of discharge rollers 20 and 21 and rotate the transport motor 18 in the reverse direction. A method (manual feed) in which the paper is once conveyed from the paper discharge side into the paper feeding device and then fed again from the paper feeding device is also adopted.

Each cap 2 of the capping means 40
Keeps the inside of the discharge port 52 of each recording means 1 in a wet state,
This is for preventing clogging of the discharge port 52 due to ink drying or ink fixation. A suction pump (not shown) is provided inside the recovery device 30, and the inside of each cap 2 is connected to the suction pump via a tube or the like. Then, each cap 2 is attached to each recording head 1
By driving the suction pump in a state (capping state) in which the discharge ports 52 are tightly sealed to the discharge port forming surface 51, a negative pressure is applied to each discharge port 52,
Impurities such as air bubbles, fixed ink, dust and the like generated inside the discharge port 52 are sucked and removed together with the ink, so that defective discharge can be eliminated.

Between the recording area (the area of the platen 19) and the capping means 40, foreign matter (adhering matter) such as ink droplets and dust adhered to the ejection port forming surface 51 of each recording head 1.
A cleaning member 33 composed of a rubber-like elastic material blade for wiping and removing is provided. The cleaning member 33 is held by a holder 34 and is configured to be drivable by a driving source (not shown) between a protruding position where the cleaning member 33 can rub against the discharge port forming surface 51 and a retracted position separated from the discharge port forming surface 51. I have.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front views showing the structure of the capping means 40 in one embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 shows an open state separated from the recording head 1, and FIG. This shows a capping state in which the recording head is in close contact with the recording head. 3 and 4, the capping means 40 includes a guide member (holder guide) 6 positioned and fixed to the main body base 5 and the guide member 6.
The cap holder 7 held above and the plurality (four in the illustrated example) attached to the cap holder 7
And the cap 2. Each cap 2 has a structure in which at least a contact portion is formed of a rubber-like elastic material and can easily and stably seal the discharge port 52 when the cap 2 comes into contact with (close contact with) each recording head 1.

3 and 4, the cap holder 7 can be moved on the holder guide 6 by a predetermined amount in a moving direction of the carriage 24 and a direction of moving forward and backward with respect to the recording head 1 via a cam mechanism. Is held in. This cam mechanism is composed of projections (pins) 41 projecting from a total of four places on the front and rear surfaces of the holder guide 6 and guide grooves 42 formed at positions corresponding to the projections 41 on the cap holder 7. . The cap holder 7 is urged in the lower left direction in the drawing by a tension spring 43 attached between the cap holder 7 and the holder guide 6, and is normally held at the cap open position shown in FIG. Both ends of the tension spring 43 are locked by spring hooking projections 44 formed on the cap holder 7 and spring hooking portions provided on the projections 41 on the left side of the holder guide 6 in the drawing.

A projection (rib) 46 engageable with the end 45 of the carriage 24 is provided at the right end of the cap holder 7 in the figure. Further, a guide portion 47 is formed at a position substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the cap holder 7, and the holder guide 6 is provided with a projection 48 that can contact the guide portion 47. These guide portions 47 and projections 48 are normally separated from each other as shown in FIG. 3. However, at the time of capping shown in FIG. By supporting the cap 2 in a swingable state as a fulcrum, the respective caps 2 are entirely moved with respect to the ejection port forming surface 51 of each recording unit 1.
This is for making the contact with a uniform contact force .

The respective guide grooves 42 of the cap holder 7 constituting the cam mechanism position the respective projections 41 as shown in FIG. 3 in a normal state, but in FIG. 4 in a capping state and in a state close to this. As shown in the projection 41
It has a shape that is away from it. The position of the spring hooking projection 44 provided on the cap holder 7 is provided on the holder guide 6 so that the rotational moment acting on the cap holder 7 by the spring urging force in the capping state shown in FIG. The projection 48 is set at a position in the vicinity of the tip contact portion 49 of the projection 48.

Next, the operation of the capping means 40 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4
A carriage 24 on which the recording heads 1 are mounted is guided and supported along a guide rail (main scanning rail) 23 so as to be able to reciprocate in the directions of arrows a and b. When the recording is completed, the carriage 24 moves from the recording area in the direction of arrow b, and the capping means 4 disposed in the non-recording area.
It moves to zero. When the carriage 24 reaches the position shown in FIG.
Abuts on the projection (rib) 46 of the cap holder 7.
At this time, the cap 2 and the recording head 1 are separated from each other, but the relative positions (the positions in the horizontal direction in the drawing) of each cap 2 and each recording head 1 are the same.

When the carriage 24 further moves in the direction of arrow b, the cap holder 7 is moved by the projections 41 of the holder guide (guide member) 6 (there are also two places on the opposite side). The guide grooves 42, 42 (also located at two locations on the opposite side) are guided. At this time, the cap holder 7
Moves in the direction of arrow b with the movement of the carriage 24, and also moves in the direction of arrow c (the direction approaching the recording head 1).
Go to

When the cap 2 comes into contact with the recording head 1, the cap holder 7 is provided with a guide portion 47 (also located at one place on the opposite side) provided on the cap holder 7 by a projection 48 (opposite side) of the holder guide 6. It also moves while being guided by the vertex (tip contact portion) 49 of the side surface (also at one place). At this time, the guide groove 42 of the cap holder 7,
Reference numeral 42 gradually departs from the projections 41 of the holder guide 6, and the positioning of the cap holder 7 is transferred to a substantially central fulcrum composed of the projection 48 and the guide portion 47.

When the carriage 24 further moves in the direction of the arrow b, each cap 2 is finally moved to each recording head 1 (the ejection port forming surface 51 thereof) as shown in FIG.
The caps 2 are elastically deformed to form a closed system while applying a predetermined capping pressure to complete the capping.
2 is isolated from the outside air.

In this capping state, as shown in FIG. 4, the flat portion 47A of the guide portion 47 and the tip portion 49 of the projection 48 are in contact with each other, and the cap holder 7 can swing about the tip portion 49 as a fulcrum. From multiple (4
It can be intrusion amount generally constant for each recording head 1 of the cap 2 pieces), each recording f each cap 2
A stable capping can be performed by the function of contacting the pad 1 with a uniform contact force as a whole . The capping release is automatically performed only by moving the carriage 24 in the direction of arrow a from the capping state of FIG. That is, when the carriage 24 moves in the direction of the arrow a, the cap holder 7 is moved to the left side in the figure by the return spring (tension spring) 43, and is guided to the normal position (separated position) in FIG. Automatically returns to.

In order to make the cap holder 7 swingable with respect to the recording head 1 in the capping state, the groove width of the guide grooves 42 of the cap holder 7 on the left side in the drawing is the same as that of the protrusion 41 of the holder guide 6. The outer diameter of the cap holder 41 is larger than the outer diameter of the cap holder 41 so as not to hinder the swing of the cap holder 7. Further, the positional relationship between the tip portion 49 of the projection 48 serving as a fulcrum in the capping state and the plurality of caps 2 is substantially the center of the two outermost caps 2 on both sides of the cap holder 7. Is provided so that a fulcrum 49 is provided. With such an arrangement, a plurality of caps 2 are
In addition, it is possible to enhance the function of making contact with uniform adhesive force as a whole, thereby improving capping performance.

Further, the mounting position and mounting direction of the return spring 43 for urging the cap holder 7 to the open position shown in FIG. 3 are, as described above, near the fulcrum (the tip portion 49 of the projection 48) in the capping state. It is preferable to select and minimize the rotational moment acting on the cap holder 7 in the capping state.

In the case where the discharge port 52 of the recording head 1 is clogged or may be clogged, the suction pump of the recovery device 30 is operated in the capping state, and the tube connected behind each cap 2 is connected. By applying a predetermined negative pressure to the discharge port 52 via the nozzle 3, a suction recovery operation for forcibly discharging ink from the discharge port 52 is performed.

According to the embodiment described above, the discharge port 52 of each recording head 1 is sealed with the plurality of caps 2 by using the movement of the carriage 24 on which the plurality of recording heads 1 are mounted at the non-recording position. In the capping state, the cap holder 7 is allowed to swing about a fulcrum 49 located substantially at the center thereof, and the cap holder 7 is moved to the guide groove 42 in a region where the cap 2 does not contact the recording head 1. 42 is moved while being guided by, cash is after the cap 2 and the recording head 1 is in contact with
By pressing the holder 7 about the fulcrum 49,
The cap 2 is applied to each recording head 1 with a uniform
Since a configuration is adopted in which the recording heads 1 are brought into contact with each other by a simple configuration, regardless of the dimensional tolerance of each part, even when the plurality of recording heads 1 are capped by the plurality of caps 2,
Automatically can be constant, the inkjet recording apparatus can be obtained that can realize stable capping the adhesion of a plurality of caps 2 totally uniformly <br/> the amount of intrusion each cap 2 against Was.

In the above-described embodiment, the cap holder 7 is positioned by the projections 41, 41 and the guide grooves 42, 42 before the cap 2 comes into contact with the recording head 1, so that the cap 2 and the recording head 1 are moved. After the contact, the fulcrum composed of the projection 48 and the guide portion 47
While positioning the cap holder 7 ,
Cap 2 is uniformly applied to each recording head 1 as a whole.
It was configured to contact with close contact , but instead of this,
The positioning projections 41, 41 and guide grooves 42,
42 is omitted, and the positioning of the cap holder 7 is determined only by the protrusion 48 and the guide portion 47 arranged at the center.
And a plurality of caps 2
You may comprise so that it may contact by contact force .

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view showing a capping state of a reference example having a structure related to the present invention. In this reference example, as shown in FIG. 5, the ejection port forming surface 5 of the recording head 1 stopped at a home position or the like.
1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus provided with capping means for moving a cap 2 in the vertical direction.

That is, in FIG. 5, a positioning pin 61 is provided substantially at the center of a cap holder 7 to which a plurality of caps 2 are attached, and this cap holder 7 can swing about the positioning pin 61. It is attached to a support shaft 62. The support shaft 62 can be moved forward and backward (directions of arrows d and e) with respect to the recording head 1 by a drive source (not shown). At the time of capping, the support shaft 62 is moved in the direction of arrow d so that each cap 2 is brought into close contact with the periphery of the ejection port 52 of each recording head 1. In this capping state, each cap 2 is in close contact with each recording head 1 in a state where the cap holder 7 can swing about a fulcrum 61 substantially at the center of the capping means 40. Thus, even the configuration of FIG 5, regardless of the tolerances of the components, can be brought into contact with overall uniform adhesion multiple cap 2 for a plurality of recording heads 1 were cheap boss capping Can be performed.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing a state at the time of capping of another reference example having a structure related to the present invention. In this reference example, as shown in FIG. 6, an ink jet recording apparatus configured to swingably support a cap holder 7 in a plane crossing the carriage moving direction (usually in a plane perpendicular to the carriage moving direction). It shows.

In FIG. 6, a positioning pin 61 is provided on the cap holder 7 on which one or a plurality of caps 2 are mounted. The positioning pin 61 is provided substantially at the center of the recording head 1 in the height direction (recording material transport direction = length in the sub-scanning direction) and parallel to the carriage movement direction. The cap holder 7 is attached to the support shaft 62 so as to be swingable about the positioning pin 61 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the carriage moving direction. The support shaft 62 can be moved forward and backward (directions of arrows d and e) with respect to the recording head 1 by a drive source (not shown). At the time of capping, the spindle 62
Is moved in the direction of arrow d to bring the cap 2 into close contact with the periphery of the ejection port 52 of the recording head 1. In this capping state, while the cap holder 7 can swing about the fulcrum composed of the positioning pins 61, the cap 2
Are in close contact with the recording head 1. Thus, even the configuration of FIG. 6, regardless of the tolerances of the components, can be brought into contact with overall uniform adhesion of the cap 2 to the recording head 1, be carried out safely boss was capped it can.

[0044]

In the above-described embodiment, the serial type recording apparatus in which the recording means 1 is mounted on the carriage 24 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applied to the whole or a part of the recording material 12 in the width direction. The present invention can be similarly applied to a line-type printing apparatus that prints only by sub-scanning using a line-type printing unit having a length covering the above-described range, and the same effect can be obtained. Further, as the recording means 1, in addition to a cartridge type in which an ink discharge section (recording head) and an ink tank section are integrated, an ink discharge section (recording head section) and an ink tank section are separately provided, and these are used as ink supply tubes. Regardless of the configuration of the recording means, such as a configuration in which the recording means are connected with each other, the same can be applied and the same effect can be achieved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus of a type in which ink is ejected. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, this is done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which Then, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head). As a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one-to-one corresponding to the driving signal. It is valid.

By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in 463359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,431,131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, the recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording material (recording medium) on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head. In addition, even with the serial type printer as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the main unit or attached to the main unit enables electrical connection with the main unit and supply of ink from the main unit. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type print head or a cartridge type print head having an ink tank provided integrally with the print head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
For the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a discharge other than recording. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for performing stable printing.

The types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only one provided for a single color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, as the recording mode of the recording apparatus, not only the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black,
The recording head may be formed integrally or by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full color by mixing colors.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet ink In general, in the method, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. What is necessary is just to be liquid. in addition,
Whether to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as one that starts to solidify when it reaches a recording medium, is used.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the liquid sheet or the solid sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It may be. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention (claim 1), a plurality of recording heads for performing recording on a recording material by discharging ink from discharge ports, A plurality of caps for capping the ejection openings of the plurality of recording heads; a cap holder to which the plurality of caps are attached; and two outermost caps among the plurality of caps attached to the cap holder. An abutting portion for pressing a portion of the cap holder corresponding to a substantially central portion between the caps, and causing the plurality of caps to perform capping in a state where the cap holder can swing about the portion as a fulcrum; Means for separating the contact portion from the portion when the plurality of caps are separated from the plurality of recording heads. In the initial state, the contact part and the cap holder are always separated, and in the capping state, the cap holder is pushed swingably by the contact part, so that multiple recording heads are collectively capped by multiple caps. In doing so, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus which can make the amount of penetration of each cap into a plurality of recording heads uniform regardless of the dimensional tolerance of each part, and can surely achieve a stable uniform capping state.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the plurality of recording heads are configured to eject different inks from each other, or a non-recording state of a carriage having the recording head mounted thereon. The discharge port of the recording head is configured to be sealed using the movement at the position, and in a region where the cap and the recording head do not abut, the cap holder is guided by the guide member and moves, and the cap and the recording head abut. Later, the cap holder is pressed around the fulcrum to uniformly uniform the plurality of caps.
Since the configuration is such that the contact is performed with a sufficient adhesion force, an ink jet recording apparatus that can achieve the above effects more efficiently is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view, partly broken away, showing a state when the cap is opened in an embodiment of the capping means to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing a state at the time of capping of the capping means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view showing a state at the time of capping of a reference example having a configuration related to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing a state at the time of capping of another reference example having a configuration related to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording means (recording head) 2 Cap 3 Tube 5 Main body base 6 Guide member (holder guide) 7 Cap holder 12 Recording material 16 Transport roller 18 Transport motor 19 Platen 20 Discharge roller 23 Guide rail (main scanning rail) 24 Carriage 26 Carriage motor 30 Recovery device 33 Cleaning member 40 Capping means 41 Positioning projection 42 Guide groove 43 Tension spring (return spring) 44 Spring hook projection 45 Carriage end 46 Engagement projection (rib) 47 Guide part 47A Flat part 48 Protrusion for fulcrum 49 Tip contact part (fulcrum) 51 Discharge port forming surface 52 Discharge port 55 Electrothermal transducer 61 Positioning pin 62 Support shaft a Carriage moving direction b Carriage moving direction c Cap holder moving direction d Cap Moving direction of the moving direction e cap holder Puhoruda

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/165

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of recording heads for ejecting ink from an ejection port to perform recording on a recording material; a plurality of caps for capping the ejection ports of the plurality of recording heads; A cap holder to be mounted, and pressing a portion of the cap holder corresponding to a substantially central portion between two outermost caps among the plurality of caps mounted on the cap holder, using the portion as a fulcrum. An abutting portion for capping the plurality of caps in a state where the cap holder can swing, and the abutting portion when the plurality of caps are separated from the plurality of recording heads. An inkjet recording apparatus, comprising: 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of recording heads eject inks different from each other. 3. A discharge head of a recording head is sealed by utilizing movement of a carriage on which a recording head is mounted at a non-recording position, and a cap holder is provided on a guide member in an area where the cap does not contact the recording head. After being guided and moved, and the cap and the recording head abutting on each other, the cap holder is pressed around the fulcrum so that
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a number of caps are brought into contact with a uniform contact force as a whole . 4. The ink-jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein said recording head is an ink-jet recording head including an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink . Inkjet recording device. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording head discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .